Whether you call them fruit machines, fruities, pokies, one-armed bandits, or slots, they’re the world’s most popular casino games. But do you know where the term comes from, how they work, or how to play them?

A slot is a narrow opening in something, especially a machine that receives coins or other tokens to give out prizes. It can also refer to an area in which something fits, such as a hole in an airplane wing or a face-off circle on an ice hockey rink.

In a slot machine, symbols on the reels line up to form winning combinations. Different symbols have varying chances of appearing on each spin, depending on the game’s pay table and how many lines are activated.

Modern machines use microprocessors to calculate the odds of a win and determine payouts. The computers also keep track of the player’s coin intake and winnings. This technology reduces the number of mechanical parts, which increases reliability and allows manufacturers to offer higher jackpots.

Despite the high-tech features, winning at slot games is almost always up to luck. Accepting this fact and controlling what you can control (like your wagering limits) is the best way to make your bankroll go further. But, if you’re still hungry for big wins, look for online slots with low volatility, which means smaller fluctuations in your bankroll and a better chance of hitting those winning combinations. Also, check the slot’s Return to Player percentage, which is an estimate of how often you will be paid back compared to how much you bet.